Scientific American.com
This Hellish Alien World’s Skies May Create an Eerie Rainbow ‘Glory’ Effect
The atmosphere of exoplanet WASP-76b may rain iron and form a strange, rainbow-like phenomenon called a “glory” never yet seen outside the solar system
Your Metabolism May Contain Health Clues
An elite athlete’s metabolism mostly looks different from that of a person with COVID—but their occasional similarities can reveal important insights into health and disease
Feeling Angry? Chilling Out Helps More Than Blowing Off Steam
When anger strikes, decreasing arousal is more likely to reduce aggression than venting is, according to a massive review of 154 studies
A Veteran Eclipse Chaser Explains the Thrill of Totality
Kate Russo has seen 13 total solar eclipses, and even she isn't ready for this one.
The Milky Way Illuminated Ancient Egypt’s Goddess of the Sky
Astronomical simulations and ancient Egyptian texts show the Milky Way was linked to the ancient Egyptian sky goddess Nut. This fits within multicultural myths about our home galaxy
The Solar Eclipse Is Almost Here: Everything You Need to Know
Here’s how to pick a viewing spot, stay on top of the weather and pack the right gear to see the total solar eclipse on April 8
New Books Help Parents Explain Climate Disasters to Kids
Books are becoming a key part of disaster recovery, helping toddlers—and their parents—cope with increasing hurricanes, earthquakes and wildfires
What Causes Earthquakes in the Northeast like the Magnitude 4.8 One in New Jersey?
Earthquakes in the Northeast are usually too small to feel, but larger temblors like the 4.8 magnitude quake in New Jersey aren’t unheard of
How Ancient Humans Studied—And Predicted—Solar Eclipses
Dragon bones, mysterious carvings and simple math reveal ancient eclipses
Earthquake Shakes New Jersey, New York State, Pennsylvania, and More
A magnitude 4.8 earthquake struck near Lebanon, N.J., at 10:23 A.M. EDT. Shaking was felt over a broad area, including parts of New York State, Pennsylvania and Connecticut
Renewable Energy Shatters Records in the U.S.
The U.S. has never had as much wind, solar and hydropower. But experts say it’s not enough to meet future electricity demand
The Dunning-Kruger Effect Shows that People Don’t Know What They Don’t Know
David Dunning explains how people can avoid overestimating their own knowledge, a psychological bias called the Dunning-Kruger effect
AI Chatbots Will Never Stop Hallucinating
Some amount of chatbot hallucination is inevitable. But there are ways to minimize it
How Do Periodical Cicadas Know When to Emerge?
Periodical cicadas have a clever hack to help them figure out when to emerge after more than a decade underground
It’s Never Too Late to Take Climate Action
The depiction of the climate crisis as a cliff—once we fall off the edge, it’s game over—is nonsense
A Solar Eclipse Is Too Special to See Through Your Smartphone
To make the most of any total solar eclipse, put down your gadgets and bask in one of our solar system’s most glorious spectacles
Three Times Eclipses Eclipsed Previous Science
Total solar eclipses have set the stage for major scientific advancements—everything from the discovery of helium to the testing of Einstein’s general theory of relativity.
Geoengineering Test Quietly Launches Salt Crystals into Atmosphere
A solar geoengineering experiment in San Francisco could lead to brighter clouds that reflect sunlight. The risks are numerous
To Ancient Maya, Solar Eclipses Signified Clashing Gods
Ancient Maya saw solar eclipses as a “broken sun” that was a sign of possible destruction
Decades-old Cans of Salmon Reveal Changes in Ocean Health
Researchers used tinned fish to reconstruct parasitic population change, giving new meaning to the phrase “opening a can of worms”